Renting an office space in London can be overwhelming—there are countless locations, all with different amenities, price points, and reputations.
By taking the time to carefully research which type of office suits your business’s needs, you have the best chance of finding the perfect place to boost your productivity, attract top talent and provide a professional environment for your growing enterprise.
Here’s our guide to help you streamline the process. Ask yourself these five questions to help you find the right office for your small business’s needs.
Think about how many people you expect to work in your office on a given day, and how many private meetings may happen simultaneously. This will determine how many desks and meeting rooms you’ll need.
Some office buildings measure rental space by the number of desks, while some use square footage. For open-plan offices, you can generally aim for 50–100 sq. ft. per employee, or if you’d prefer private individual offices, allow around 200 sq. ft. per employee.
See also: Serviced office vs leased office: key differences
See also: What is an agile workplace?
See also: 7 reasons to use a serviced office in Covent Garden
It may be worth adding some extra square footage to accommodate new hires. How much you’ll need depends on how far you expect to scale within the length of your lease. If you’re unsure about this now, don’t worry, there are plenty of flexible office spaces that can accommodate sudden changes.
Another way to manage a fluctuating headcount is to opt for a building with some communal coworking space, break out areas, or bookable meeting rooms. When you're over capacity, using these can be more cost-effective than renting a larger space with lots of spare, empty desks.
Knowing how much time you’ll be spending in your office is key to using your budget efficiently.
These are office spaces that are available every day of the workweek. Though this is the most expensive option, choosing a full-time office means the space will be fully dedicated to your business only. You won’t have to share it with others, making it feel like a more permanent home.
Full-time offices come with added freedoms, such as the ability to securely store any equipment or personal belongings overnight and on weekends. You can also customise the space to your taste with furniture, wall art and your brand’s logos. This will give your company a more established image, which can be useful if you have guests or if you ever do an office photoshoot to advertise your business.
If you have a flexible working arrangement, you may only want an office space for a few days per week. This can cut your rental costs significantly, but you’ll sacrifice by sharing the space with other businesses on other days, so no decorating or storing items overnight.
If you only occasionally need an office, renting a meeting room or a day office may be a better option. This option is low commitment, as you may not have to sign an ongoing contract and won’t have to reserve your spot weeks in advance.
This also allows you to switch locations frequently, which may be fun if you’re new to London and want to get to know the different neighbourhoods.
You’ll come across various types of office spaces in your search, each offering different facilities and benefits.
Leased office spaces are what you might traditionally expect when renting an office: they’re empty, unfurnished rooms that you’ll need to fill yourself. That means buying your own desks, chairs, monitors, whiteboards, storage units, etc.
The whole office will be for your company’s use only, and it may include a private bathroom and kitchen.
This is a self-contained office space within a communal building. You’ll typically find several serviced offices under one roof, ranging from small sizes with three or four desks, to large ones that span an entire floor.
These typically come fully furnished and move-in ready, meaning they’re set up with desks, chairs and Wi-Fi (depending on the office). You’ll get your own dedicated private space, so your business won’t be within earshot of other companies, like in a co-working space.
Bathrooms, kitchens, and additional meeting rooms will be available outside your private space and typically shared with the building’s other tenants. So, when you’re thinking about how much space you’ll need, you only need to think about how many desks you need.
Co-working spaces give you access to desks or meeting rooms within an open-plan communal office space. You’ll share this space with other entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses.
These are a flexible option if you’re a solopreneur who typically works from home and wants an opportunity to collaborate with others, or simply a change of scenery.
They’re also great if you have a small team and don’t want to meet in person frequently, as you can rent desks by the hour or by the day.
These offer businesses the prestige of a London business address without having to actually rent a physical workspace. So, if you’re a remote business and only want a London address on paper, this may be the option for you. They’ll typically also handle any incoming mail on your behalf.
London is divided into several distinct neighbourhoods, each catering to different budgets and types of industries. Transport links are also a serious consideration—offices near major transport hubs (like King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, and Victoria) tend to be more expensive, but they’re convenient for your employees and visitors.
To give you an idea of how far costs vary on location, here’s a chart to show average prime rental rates across London.
With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of London’s centrally located areas to help you find where best fits your business.
Stations: Aldgate, Bank, Barbican, Blackfriars, Cannon Street, Chancery Lane, City Thameslink, Fenchurch Street, Liverpool Street, Mansion House, Monument, Moorgate, St. Pauls.
Also known as the square mile, this area is known for its larger corporations, banks, and insurance companies. You’ll find plenty of London’s most iconic skyscrapers here, and office rental spaces are typically more expensive and high-end. A City of London address is prestigious for businesses dealing with finance, law, or consulting, and for this reason, it’s one of the most expensive areas to rent an office space.
Stations: Bond Street, Covent Garden, Charing Cross, Holborn, Leicester Square, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road.
Soho, Covent Garden, and Mayfair are known for their upscale shopping streets, theatres, and restaurants, and they also serve as prime locations for businesses. They're bustling with trendy office spaces, with plenty of after-hours entertainment on their doorstep, which make these areas highly in-demand, and therefore expensive. These central London locations are world-famous, with excellent transport links—ideal for businesses that rely on being close to clients and other industry connections.
Stations: Farringdon, Hackney Central, Old Street, Shoreditch High Street, Stratford, Whitechapel.
These areas are synonymous with creative startups and the London tech scene, in particular, Shoreditch, Hoxton, and Old Street (commonly referred to as the ‘Silicon Roundabout’). Office spaces here tend to be more affordable than more central options, and you have plenty of unique bars and restaurants in Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market.
If you go further out into cheaper spots like Hackney and London Fields, you may find fewer public transport options than central locations. However, Stratford and Liverpool Street offer underground, Elizabeth Line and rail links connecting the areas to London’s outskirts and neighbouring counties.
Stations: Battersea Power Station, Battersea Park, Bermondsey, Elephant and Castle, London Bridge, Vauxhall, Waterloo.
Areas like Battersea, Bermondsey and Vauxhall are emerging as more affordable business scenes, while still offering proximity to central London. Battersea in particular has seen significant regeneration in recent years, which has brought plenty of new investment and modern office spaces. You’ll also gain proximity to the River Thames and South Bank, a cultural hub popular with arts, media and creative industries.
Stations: Angel, Camden, Euston, Kentish Town, King’s Cross St. Pancras International.
North London has a rising number of offices available to rent. King’s Cross has undergone significant developments and has become one of London’s major business districts, home to tech giants like Google, Universal Music Group, and Expedia.
Camden is known for its alternative, edgy vibe, with many small businesses in the creative industries, such as music, media, and fashion, setting up here.
Stations: Fulham Broadway, Hammersmith, Kensington (Olympia), Knightsbridge, Marble Arch, Notting Hill Gate, Paddington, Shepherd’s Bush, Sloane Square, St James' Park, Victoria.
West London is generally known for being more affluent, with Victoria home to Buckingham Palace and various embassy buildings, and Westminster home to 10 Downing Street and civil services. These areas are well connected and offer access to the royal parks: The Green Park, Hyde Park and St James’s Park.
Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush have many corporate headquarters, coworking spaces and serviced offices, while Chelsea and Fulham are more suburban areas, slightly quieter and more upscale than other options. These may be perfect for those looking to avoid the hustle of central London.
Now you have a clearer idea of what you’re looking for, start searching for that type of office within your selected location.
Use the information on each provider’s website to create a shortlist of spaces that tick your boxes. It never hurts to ask around your own network to see if anyone has a recommendation. If you get a referral through an existing member, there may be discounts or incentives.
Arrange to have a tour of your top five to see if they meet expectations. Seeing an office space in person is essential to know how it compares to its competition. It can help to take a colleague or business partner with you for a second opinion, especially if they have experience in selecting London office space.
Rate each viewing by asking these six questions:
Did you meet the reception staff, cleaners, or any other tenants? The people you’re surrounded by have a huge impact on the environment, so don’t settle for anywhere unwelcoming.
This is especially important if you plan on hiring new staff or hosting meetings with external visitors. If the interiors aren’t 100% to your taste, is there any capacity to customise the space?
Small details like a clean, well-stocked kitchen make a place feel more inviting. If the basics aren’t up to standards for the viewing, they certainly won’t be once you move in.
Added amenities like tea and coffee facilities, bowls of fruit, and rooftop terraces all do a lot to make you excited to go to work there.
Features like keycard access and CCTV help ensure the security of your people and equipment.
The closer the office is to a main station or landmark, the easier it is for people to get to your location.
Now you’ve found your perfect small office space in London, carefully review the rental terms or lease before signing.
Consider the length of the rental term or lease and whether you want a break clause to exit the contract early. Negotiate terms that offer you some flexibility in case your business grows or downsizes.
If you’re renting a serviced office, ensure a clear Service Level Agreement (SLA) is in place. This should cover aspects like internet speed, cleaning services, and building maintenance, so you know you’re getting the services you’re paying for.
Looking for a flexible office that has it all? 71-75 has you covered, whether you want a one-off meeting room or a long-term permanent home for your growing business.
We have over 30 pet-friendly serviced offices with ergonomic furniture, all-inclusive fees, supercharged internet connectivity, equipped meeting rooms, and a brand-new rooftop terrace.
You’ll be centrally located in the iconic Covent Garden, with countless restaurants, local cafes, and excellent transport links right on your doorstep.
Book a tour of your new workspace today, or call our team on 020 3184 8770.
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